Current water-meter.



A. J. COLLAR.

CURRENT WATER METER. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 16,1914v 1,130,572. Patented Mar.2,1915.

\"ITNESSES: INYENTOR ADONIBAM J. COLLAR, OF YREKA, CALIFORNIA.

CURRENT WATER-METER. 1

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed June 18, 1914. Serial No. 845,378.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ADONIRAM J. COLLAR, a citizen-of the United States, residing at Yreka, in the county of Siskiyou and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Current Water-Meters, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a meter for measuring the flow of water in irrigation ditches and the like.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a simple, compact, cheaply manufactured water meter of the revolving wheel type, which is so constructed that practically no leakage can take place past the wheel, and which is adapted'to be operated by a comparatively slowly flowing current.

Another object of the invention is to provide a wheel withhinged outer paddle sec- .tions which will automaticlly rise or yield to any rubbish, such as sticks or gravel that may catch between the edge of the paddle and the bottom of the gateway. This permits the rubbish to pass through the wheel and also prevents the wheel from becoming jammed or retarded in any way.

Further objects will hereinafter appear.

The invention consists of the parts and the construction and combination of parts as hereinafter more fully described and claimed, having reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a central longitudinal section showing the position of the meter in the gateway. Fig. '2 is a plan view of same.

Referring to the drawings, A indicates a suitable form of gateway constructed of wood, concrete or like material, in which is mounted a water wheel generally indicated at 2. The wheel is in this instance carried by a shaft 3, journaled in the gateway structure, and it is furthermore provided with rigid paddle sections 4 of suitable construcedge an extra blade 6 extending across the tion which are attached to arms 5. The rigid paddle sections extend inward toward the center of the wheel and at their inner wheel is provided to close up the space between the inner edges of the addles.

Secured by hinges 7, or li e means, to the outer'edge of each rigid paddle section, or to arms 5, is a hinged paddle section 8, and attached to the front edge of said hinged section is a flexible packing strip 9 of leather, rubber belting or the like. The

sides of the rigid paddle sections are similarly provided with flexible packing strips 10, which are provided for the purpose of preventing leakage around the sides of the wheel. The hinged paddle sections will automatically yield when passing over any rubbish, such as gravel, sticks or the like which may catch between the edge of the paddle and the bottom of the gateway. The wheel is thus prevented from becoming ammed or retarded in its movement, and furthermore, permits the rubbish to pass through the wheel.

The bottom of the gateway is preferably curved on a radius struck from the center of the wheel, and the curved section is just sufficiently long to extend between the two adjacent blade sections. One or more blades will thus always be in contact with the Patented Mar. 2, 191 5.

curved bottom of the gateway, thus insuring a uniform movement of the wheel with the water. The curved section being practically the only contact point of the blades with the bottom of the gateway is preferably constructed of metal, and will therefore present a smooth surface toward the edge of the paddle and will considerably reduce friction at this point.

Suitably secured to a shaft 11, journaled crosswise in the gateway, is a swinging gate 12. This is provided for the purpose of deadening the flow of water through the wheel and also for the purpose of re lating the volume of flow passing throug the same; the position of the gate being controlled by suitable means, cable connection shown at 12. form of gate may, however, be employed to control the volume of flow passing through the wheel.

In operation, it has been found that a wheel approximately six feet in diameter and six feet wide, having paddles or blades mounted thereon, which are about two and a half feet deep will allow about one hundred and fifty-five cubic feet of water to pass through with each revolution. Knowing the number of cubic feet passing through at each revolution of the wheel, it is only necessary to provide a suitable form of cyclometer which may be attached to shaft 3, as indicated at 13. The cyclometer like the mileage register on a bicycle can be placed in a box and locked up so that no one can tamper with it, and the registration as the flexible Any other position of the gate, indicated at 12, and the volume passmg through may thus be regulated to suit requirements and local conditions.

A meter constructed as here shown is very. efiicient, as itwill not be retarded or jammed by any rubbish which may pass through. It is, furthermore, practically leak-proof, and may therefore also be used as a gate. A bar 14, laid across the teway between the arms of the wheel wil lock it against revolving, and the wheel will consequently act as a gate to shut ofi the water passing through same.

The materials and finish of the several parts of the meter are such as the experience and-judgmental the manufacturer may dictate.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

the bottom of the gateway with which the hinged paddle sections are adapted to contact, and means for locking the wheel against revolving.

2. In combination with a water gateway, a wheel having ri sections, and sheets of gackin extending across the joints forme by t e adjacent edges of the sections to seal said j 0ints and having the free outer sides thereof engaging 45 the bottom of the gatewsiy.

In testimony whereof have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

' ADONIRAM J. COLLAR.

Witnesses:

MAE F. GLEABON, Cnnrronn E. Burma.

gid inner paddle sections, 40 .outer, paddle sections hinged to the inner 

